Travel in THAILAND : Yala Province

Considered one of the most beautiful cities in Thailand, Yala hosts an annual Dove Festival that draws thousands of visitors each year. The landlocked province of Yala is the administrative center for southern Thailand and features a pretty and well organized town that contains a number of parks and ponds. Otherwise, there are few attractions within the town that are geared towards visitors, though local seafood restaurants are held in high regard by Thai and Malaysian visitors. However, once outside of Yala town, there are numerous waterfalls, caves, and other natural attractions for visitors to explore. If there is one defining attraction in Yala, it is the annual ASEAN Barred Ground Dove Festival, which is held each March for doves from Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia; the main event is a cooing contest that draws nearly 1,500 participants each March. The landlocked province of Yala, the administrative center for southern Thailand, features a pretty and well organized town with a number of parks and ponds, as well as some fine seafood restaurants.  Yala is also the host of the annual ASEAN Barred Ground Dove Festival, an event which draws upwards of 1,500 doves from Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia that compete in various events. Transport Options in Yala, Thailand As it is a landlocked province that is not a major commercial hub, Yala is often best reached via connection with Hat Yai. However, it is possible to travel directly to Yala via train, bus, or car, and by air through Hat Yai. Once there, it may be easier to get around the province with a rental car, but there are standard forms of local transport available for visitors: i.e. songtaew, motorbike taxi, and tuk tuk. Getting to and from Yala By Train: Yala is 1,055 kilometers from Bangkok by rail. The State Railway Authority of Thailand operates daily rapid and express trains from Bangkok to Yala. Trains leave the Bangkok Railway Station several times daily and complete the more than 1000 kilometer trip in roughly 20 hours. For more information please call the Traveling Service Unit of the Bangkok Railway Station at tel: 1690, 0 2223 7010 and 0 2223 7020 or visit www.railway.co.th By Car: Visitors with cars can drive south from Bangkok to Yala on Highway No.4 through Prachuap Khiri Khan and Chumphon, then onto Highway No.41 through Thung Song, Phatthalung, Hat Yai, and Pattani before arriving at Yala 1,084 kilometers later. From Songkhla, take Highway No. 408 to Nathawi, then Highways No.42 and No.409 to Yala, a distance of 128 kilometers. From Pattani, Highway No. 410 leads directly to Yala, 43 kilometers away. By Bus: Air-conditioned bus service runs daily between Bangkok and Yala from Bangkok’s Southern Bus Terminal, a voyage that takes 14 hours to complete including a connection in Hat Yai. For further information please call the Southern Bus Terminal at tel: 0 2435 1119-200 or visit www.transport.co.th By Air: There are no direct flights to Yala, but both Thai AirAsia and Thai Airways International offer flights from Bangkok to Hat Yai. From Hat Yai one can either take a train, bus, taxi, or air-conditioned van to Yala. Getting Around Yala The easiest way to travel around Yala is by local transport, either tuk tuk or songtaew (a truck with two rows of benches at the back). However, the best way to have freedom to explore at will is by renting a vehicle from Hat Yai if you would like to explore attractions in the rural areas. Accommodation The accommodation options in Yala are fairly limited, though there are a decent variety of rooms available for visitors looking for budget and mid-range hotels with modern amenities. Food & Drink Most restaurants on Yala serve a variety of cuisines, including Thai and international foods and southern Thai cuisine. In general, Southern Thai food is renowned for its spiciness and has its origins in Malay, Indonesian and Indian cuisines. Popular southern dishes include Massaman, an Indian-style Muslim curry, Khanom Jeen, rice noodles in fish curry sauce, and chicken birayani. Activities As one of the quieter tourist destinations in Thailand, Yala has few specifically designed tourist activities, though there are still enough activities that visitors with many interests will find something to keep them entertained on their Yala holiday. The following are some of the most popular activities on Yala. information : http://www.tourismthailand.org